Segisaurus

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Segisaurus

Zoo Tek Phoenix

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Author: Moondawg

Keywords: Extinct Animals

Date Released: Oct 5 2009

Current SegisaurusMD2009.ztd dated 4 October 2009

File Size: 384.57k

Compatibility: DD or CC

Description: Segisaurus (meaning "Segi canyon lizard") was a small coelophysoid theropod dinosaur, that measured approximately 1 metre in length.
The only known specimen was discovered in 1933 in early Jurassic strata in Tsegi Canyon, Arizona, for which it was named. Segisaurus is the only dinosaur to have ever been excavated from the area. It was later described in 1936 by the paleontologist Charles Lewis Camp. The fragmentary fossil skeleton consisted of portions of the limbs, pelvis, and vertebrae, but no cranial material was located. Segisaurus appears to have been closely related to the much more well-known Coelophysis. One distinction, however, was that Segisaurus had solid bones, while those of Coelophysis' were hollow. This even made some scientists consider if Segisaurus was even a theropod at all. Later investigations into the specimen's pelvic remains in 2005 lead scientists to believe that Segisaurus was in fact related more closely to Procompsognathus.

Segisaurus lived about 180 million years ago during the Jurassic period. Segisaurus was roughly the size of a goose and was a primitive bipedal theropod. Segisaurus was roughly 1 metre long, half a metre tall and weighed about 4-7 kilograms. It was nimble and insectivorous, although it may have scavenged meat also. It was bird-like in structure, with a flexible neck, elongated neck and a stubbish body. Segisaurus was three-toed and had powerful legs that were long compared to its body length. Like its legs, Segisaurus had a long tail and long forearms. Its collar bone was not unlike a bird's, thus strengthening scientists' arguments that dinosaurs were related to avians.

Segisaurus is described from the only specimen ever found. The holotype, however, was a sub-adult, so that the full size of Segisaurus as an adult may never be known. Strangely, clavicles were found on the Segisaurus specimen, which were unknown in other dinosaurs from that era.

The first discovery of Segisaurus was by Max Littlesalt, a Navajo Indian who kept livestock inside Tsegi Canyon. After discovering the remains, Littlesalt pointed out the fossils to archeologists on an expedition inside the canyon. Other than the first finding of Segisaurus, no other specimens have been discovered. After its initial description by Charles Lewis Camp, the holotype went relatively ignored for the next half century. When the specimen was investigated during this period, all who viewed it commented on the presence of clavicles and the solid bone structures the dinosaur had. According to recent reports, Segisaurus is vital in understanding the evolution of early theropods.

When the specimen of Segisaurus was discovered, Camp likened it to that of a "sitting hen", due to the position the dinosaur's remains were in. Other theropods used this positions to sleep or stay sheltered during large sand storms, and indeed the Segisaurus holotype was found in a bed of sand stone, suggesting that the dinosaur had been submerged in a layer of sand and died. This is still only a hypothesis, as no nest or den materials were discovered along the Segisaurus specimen. Another speculative interpretation from Camp has attracted less attention: that the "splint-like" neck ribs supported a Draco-like patagium along the neck, to improve the animal's ability to move quickly.

In September 2005, the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology published a report which re-examined the remains of the Segisaurus holotype. The authors concluded, that although very unusual, Segisaurus was firmly a coelophysoid. They also noted that Segisaurus was probably a relative of Procompsognathus.

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Additional info:

SegisaurusMD2009.ztd                 uca: 68F66E17 dated 4 October 2009

Results From Configuration Checking:

68f66e17.uca date: Sun Oct 04 18:32:56 2009
No Errors or Warnings to show.
Animal Type: 68F66E17

Segisaurus

The only known specimen was discovered in 1933 in early Jurassic strata in
Tsegi Canyon, Arizona, for which it was named. Segisaurus is the only dinosaur
to have ever been excavated from the area. It was later described in 1936 by
the paleontologist Charles Lewis Camp. The fragmentary fossil skeleton
consisted of portions of the limbs, pelvis, and vertebrae, but no cranial
material was located. Segisaurus appears to have been closely related to the
much more well-known Coelophysis. One distinction, however, was that
Segisaurus had solid bones, while those of Coelophysis' were hollow. This even
made some scientists consider if Segisaurus was even a theropod at all. Later
investigations into the specimen's pelvic remains in 2005 lead scientists to
believe that Segisaurus was in fact related more closely to Procompsognathus.
    (plus 5 other paragraphs)

Animal Characteristics:

Habitat: Desert; Location: North America; Era: Jurassic
Minimum happiness needed for chance of breeding: 97.
Preferred shelter: Dinosaur Burrow (DD).
Animal can jump.
Animal can climb cliffs.
Cannot be used in original Zoo Tycoon: cKeeperFoodType (6) is not 0 to 5.

Exhibit Preferences:

Foliage:
Palm Tree, Joshua Tree, Quiver Tree, Prickly Pear Cactus, Saguaro Cactus
Llala Palm Tree, Sand Bush (NA), Doum Palm Tree (NA), Yucca Tree (ES)
Agave Cactus (ES)

Rocks:
Large Rock, Large Rock - 1, Large Rock - 2, Large Rock - 3, Large Rock - 4
Small Rock - Medium, Small Rock - Small, Small Rock - 7, Small Rock - 8
Small Rock - 9, Desert Rock - Formation, Medium Desert Rock (DD)
Small Desert Rock (ES), Large Desert Rock (NA)

Exhibit Construction:

Number of animals allowed per exhibit: 1-3 with 100 squares for each adult.

Exhibit size (for 2 adults): 200 grid squares

Terrain (for exhibit with 200 grid squares):
150 Sand, 20 Dirt, 20 Brown Stone, 10 Fresh Water

Foliage (for exhibit with 200 grid squares):
10 grid squares should contain foliage.
Foliage that would give the most happiness: Saguaro Cactus
Since this is a small plant, greatest happiness will occur
if each of the 10 grid squares contains 4 of this plant.

Rocks (for exhibit with 200 grid squares):
8 Small Rock - Small, which is its most liked rock.

Elevation: Of the 200 squares, 5 nonadjacent squares should be elevated.